Work where you play!
Join our team at Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are
Parks Tacoma is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Tacoma Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Parks Tacoma are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information
Under the direction of a General or Aquatic Animal Curator and the assigned Assistant Curator, perform a variety of skilled duties involved in the care, observation, maintenance, propagation and management of assigned aquatic animal species and the display of such species to the general public in an educational and attractive manner.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Staff Biologist performs a variety of specialized aquatic work including behavioral enrichment training and observation, animal health care, documentation of behavior and activity and related duties involved in providing overall care to an assigned animal group at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Must understand basic water chemistry and be able to operate aquatic life support systems. Must be an active scuba diver and be comfortable working in and around water and aquatic exhibits. Must understand basic biology and ecology of the marine fish and invertebrates held and displayed in the aquariums at PDZA.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Perform husbandry duties in the aquarium setting which includes temperate and tropical species of fish and invertebrates from the Pacific Rim.

Observe animal species on assigned schedule to determine physical and behavioral health and well being; check animals for abnormalities and report condition to appropriate Curator or veterinarian. Provide behavioral training as appropriate and directed for animals assigned to incumbent's care.

Understand basic water chemistry and be able to operate aquatic life support systems.

Be an active SCUBA diver and be comfortable working in and around water and aquatic exhibits.

Understand basic biology and ecology of the marine fish and invertebrates held and displayed in the aquariums at PDZA.

Be familiar with common fish diseases and parasites and appropriate treatments.

Know how to handle and transport fish and invertebrates safely.

Clean animal exhibits and holding areas to assure the health of animals and the presentation of the species in an attractive environment.

Prepare, store and distribute food according to established amounts, types and diets; monitor feeding habits and report any changes or abnormalities; monitor food levels to assure sufficient quantities. Prepare and administer medications, food supplements and vitamins.

Perform routine maintenance and minor repair of animal exhibits and related systems; prepare new exhibits and input regarding exhibit design and renovation to facilitate cleaning, enhance viewing and improve living conditions for the animals.

Provide appropriate enrichment to animals in assigned areas of responsibility.

Communicate with the public regarding animals and related matters; answer questions and assure proper presentation of animals in various formats.

Maintain records and reports regarding assigned species including animal condition reports; conduct research regarding animal species as needed; prepare daily reports, health reports and other reports specific to the assigned area.

Maintain water quality to keep aquatic animals in a healthy condition.

Perform behavioral observations; patrol assigned areas of the Zoo or Trek and visually check on animals; perform or arrange for corrective action if problems arise.

Move and remove animal species to different areas or exhibits as determined by proper care, feeding and safety methods.

Provide work direction and assist in training volunteers and part-time animal care personnel as assigned; attend staff meetings, educational conferences and seminars as needed.

Communicate with the Aquatic Animal Curator and Assistant Curator regarding needed supplies, problems regarding exhibits, animal health or public safety issues or concerns. Communicate with veterinarians regarding animal health matters; provide assistance in catching or restraining animals in accordance with established safety procedures to administer health care.

Provide input regarding the collecting, purchase, transfer, propagation or trading of animal species as needed. Conduct and/or participate in conservation programs to assist in the propagation, education, enforcement and other activities related to long-term conservation of assigned species.

Assure the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public from injury or mishap

Other duties as required.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Any combination equivalent to: Three years of experience as an aquarist involving the care and husbandry of fish and invertebrates in a zoo, aquarium, theme park or related environment, preferably in an AZA accredited facility. Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology or related field preferred. Equivalent education and experience including related volunteer and intern experience considered.

Must have valid open water SCUBA certification. Experience in the use of underwater techniques for the collection of fish and invertebrate species with cold water diving experience desired. Must stay current with diving requirements set by PDZA diving control board.

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
• Obtain valid Rescue Diver SCUBA certification within the probationary period.
• Obtain a valid First Aid and CPR Card within the probationary period.
• Maintain a valid SCUBA diving certification when assigned to the aquarium.

ENVIRONMENT:
Indoor and outdoor environment throughout the year
Adverse weather conditions.
Cold water while interacting with animals and cleaning exhibits.
Confined or dark work areas.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Lifting, carrying and moving heavy objects or animals weighing up to 80 pounds.
Pushing. Climbing. Standing. Ladders. Walking up, down and sideways on uneven and/or slippery surfaces.
Kneeling, crouching and bending to work with and feed animals.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate specialized equipment and tools.

HAZARDS:
Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals and zoonotic diseases.
Exposure to animal fecal matter, urine and other bodily discharges
Chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation and noise.
Contact with dissatisfied visitors.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles of animal husbandry including animal behavior, care, maintenance and management.
• Animal species natural history and biology, especially marine fish and invertebrates.
• Dietary requirements of the large number of species displayed in the aquarium.
• Diseases and other health issues of the aquarium animal collection.
• Basic water chemistry and principals of water filtration and life support operations.
• Applicable local, State, federal and AZA regulations.
• Scientific research methods.
• Safe and proper handling and transportation of aquatic animals.
• Requirements of maintaining exhibits in a safe, clean and orderly condition.
• Exhibit design and lighting and basic display principals.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.
• AZA Conservation and Science programs.
• Operant conditioning techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• Work in close contact with potentially dangerous animals.
• Operate and maintain a variety of related tools, equipment and machinery.
• Fabricate specialty equipment and devices for aquatic husbandry and display.
• Provide work direction to others as assigned.
• Observe animals for physical and behavioral health.
• Perform various animal husbandry duties for assigned species including cleaning, feeding, collection, maintenance and management of animals.
• Perform work to assure the safety of animals, employees and the visiting public.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.

PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

Parks Tacoma employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Parks Tacoma is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resources at hr@parkstacoma.gov.

Employment is subject to a national background check.